The Sandford St Martin Trustees’ Award
Perhaps unsurprising given its name, the Sandford St Martin Trustees’ Award is particularly dear to our trustees. They introduced this prestigious award in 2013 in order to recognise individuals who or broadcasting content, programmes or organisations which have made outstanding contributions to the public understanding of religion, ethics or spirituality. Since the Award was introduced the trustees have chosen to honour a wide range of content-makers or contributors for different reasons. What they all have in common, however, is that the work they have done has contributed to the greater public understanding of religion and how belief and ethics – whether or not you have faith – are embedded in the human experience.
Recipients of the Sandford St Martin Trustees’ Awards or Special Awards are chosen by the Trustees and receive their award at our annual ceremony in front of an audience of peers.
Scroll down this page for more information to find out more about who they are.
2024 Sandford St Martin Trustees’ Award Winner: Tom Holland
This year’s recipient is Tom Holland, in recognition of his contribution to the greater public understanding of religions and their role in contemporary and historical human experience.
Announcing the award, the Sandford St Martin Trustees said: ‘what makes Tom Holland and his work really stand out for us, is that his programmes never shy away from taking religion seriously or from asking how what people believe impacts the world we live in.’
2023 Sandford St Martin Trustees’ Award Winner: Jimmy McGovern
2023’s recipient was renowned screenwriter Jimmy McGovern, awarded in recognition of his commitment to creating challenging, thought-provoking drama that never shies away from exploring belief.
From Brookside and Cracker in the 1990s to drama-documentaries about Hillsborough and Bloody Sunday, or previous Sandford St Martin Award winners Broken (2018) and Time (2022), Jimmy McGovern specialises in moral dilemmas.
Announcing the award, the Sandford St Martin Trustees said: ‘There is arguably no British dramatist who through the brute beauty and valour of his writing has so consistently and successfully captured the complexities of what it is to be a thinking, feeling human being.’
The award will be presented to Jimmy by the actor Ricky Tomlinson as part of a gala ceremony, in front of some of the UK’s best known and most influential broadcasters at Whitworth Hall in Manchester on the evening of 21 June.
Speaking about Jimmy McGovern, Ricky Tomlinson said:
“Jimmy’s an inspiration to the industry. Whatever the subject, he’s never backed down from his responsibility as a storyteller or from giving a voice to the people and community he’s come from. He’s done it with heart and respect, and he’s done Liverpool proud. I’m delighted he’s being recognised by the Sandford St Martin Trust this year – he’s a very worthy winner.”
2022 Sandford St Martin Trustees’ Award Winners
For 2022 the Trustees decided they would like to recognise two recipients whose work demonstrates the instrumental role broadcasting plays in influencing how we see ourselves and how we see others. Both have made the case for more accurate, authentic representations and the breaking down of barriers. They have introduced new stories, amplified marginalised voices and in doing so made valuable contributions to furthering the audiences understanding of how other people live and what they believe. They have opened us up to new ideas, new role models and ultimately shown us how as content-makers we can contribute to a better society and a better world.
They are:
SIR LENNY HENRY: In recognition of his ongoing campaign to address inequality and under-representation in broadcasting. Read more.
and
RUKHSHANA MEDIA: In recognition of the Afghan news organisation’s unwavering commitment to journalism and making Afghan women’s stories heard. Read more.
2021 Sandford St Martin Trustees’ Award Winners
For 2021 the Trustees decided they’d like to pay tribute to the exceptional work done by so many broadcasters and content-makers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so they identified two sub-categories they wished to consider: Content (for broadcasting that explored the impact of COVID or lockdown through a religious lens) and Community (for broadcasting designed to support or maintain religious or belief communities during lockdown).
From the many inspiring, innovative and deeply deserving entries and nominations received, and following a long and difficult deliberation process, the Trustees’ chose four recipients for this year’s Trustees’ Award. Each of them is an extraordinary example of the power of great broadcasting, even in the most difficult of circumstances, to inspire and impact audiences.
They are:
CONTENT AWARD:
BURNLEY CRISIS: BBC News for BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 4 and BBC 5Live
RAMADAN IN LOCKDOWN: Clockwork Films for Channel 4
COMMUNITY AWARD:
PSALM 23: UK Jewish Film for YouTube
RADIO WANNO: Religious services on local prison radio by Radio Wanno x HMP Wandsworth chaplaincy team
You can find out more about all of them as well as the Trustees’ list of highly commended entries by clicking here.
2020 Sandford St Martin Trustees’ Award Winner: Stormzy
He’s headlined on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage, won three Brits, campaigned for Grenfell residents, delivered the BBC’s Christmas reading and now Stormzy, who often credits God for his success, will receive the 2020 Sandford St Martin Trustees’ Award for his contribution to the public understanding of religion.
In his acceptance speech which will be broadcast online as part of a special digital awards programme on June 11 at 18.30 BST, Stormzy says: “Every award I’ve ever collected, whatever achievement I’ve ever had, I’ve always been vocal about the fact that it’s not possible without God. He’s the reason why I’m here today. He’s the reason that I’m able to have a career… (but) a lot of the time I get non-believers saying “Don’t thank God, this wasn’t God. This was all you” and I know this wasn’t all me. This was God.”
You can watch the short video of his speech we tweeted here. Or watch the full tribute and the 2020 Awards presentation here.
In his speech, Stormzy talks about the technical issues that could have ruined his 2019 Glastonbury performance and pays tribute to his mother “a prayer warrior” who, he says, while he was on stage, was in church praying for her son after her pastor had a premonition that things would go wrong.
In their dedication, the Sandford St Martin Trustees say they decided Stormzy should receive this award not because he believes in God, but because of how this faith has informed his efforts to foster a public conversation and to build a sense of community that has united thousands of fans across cultural, class, generational and religious boundaries.
Chair of the Trust, the Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Ripon said “The openness and clarity about which Stormzy speaks and sings about his faith and the efforts he’s made to translate that into action resonates with people around the world who have heard his music on the radio, seen him perform on television or watched his videos on line.This award celebrates people that have made an outstanding contribution towards understanding how religion impacts on the personal, political and social sides of our lives – for these reasons we’re very pleased to be presenting this year’s award to Stormzy.”
Among those paying tribute to him in the programme are David Lammy MP, the broadcaster Jasmine Dotiwala, Natasha Elcock, chair of Grenfell United, and BBC Commissioning Editor Daisy Scalchi.
Addressing Stormzy, David Lammy says, “I think because your music and poetry captures an element of honesty, power and determination – particularly on speaking out on behalf of those of us who like me grew up in inner city Britain… It’s not just about the power of your music and your lyricism, it’s also about the power of your actions.”
Coming up June 14th and the anniversary of the Grenfell fire, Natasha Elcock, survivor says “So many times over the past three years you’ve used your platform for us.You’ve spoken out for us.You’ve taken on the powerful with us.You never did this to et any credit or recognition… You didn’t come from North Kensington but you recognised our neighbourhood in yours… and because of that you will always be part of our community.”
2019 Trustees’ Award winner: Bishop Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church
American Bishop Michael Curry, presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church was granted the 2019 Sandford St Martin Trustees’ Award in recognition of the huge media impact generated by his sermon at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle which helped to bring a better understanding of religious belief and its modern relevance to a new audience.
In his dedication, Trevor Philips, the writer broadcaster and businessman said “Even in a year of fierce competition for TV eyeballs, there wasn’t much doubt about the winner in 2018. Globally, the Royal Wedding out-rated the World Cup final almost 2 to one… However as dominant as the leading actors were, even in the most majestic productions there is always room for the memorable cameo role. The definition of cameo is a small, engraving, usually on a gemstone – and on that day, Bishop Michael Curry whose sermon dwelt unashamedly on the power of love, gave one of the most breathtaking cameo roles ever seen on TV left an indelible inscription on the memory of the 2 billion or so who witnessed it.”
The Rt Rev Jan MacFarlane, Bishop of Repton and Chair of the Sandford St Martin Trust, said: “One of the indisputable broadcasting highlights of the 2018 royal wedding was Bishop Curry’s sermon. His inspirational words were broadcast to millions around the world and were instrumental in shining a spotlight on the central role faith plays in the wider social discourse, not least in the most significant moments of our lives.
“At the heart of his sermon, Bishop Curry spoke of love being the most important and powerful force for unity in the world – a message much needed when the social and political divisions in the UK and around the world are being so deeply felt.”
You can watch Bishop Curry’s video acceptance of the award here:
2018 Trustees’ Award winner: Neil MacGregor
Among the indisputable broadcasting highlights of recent years have been Living with the Gods and the History of the World in 100 Objects, Neil MacGregor’s flagship radio series for BBC Radio 4. MacGregor has never shied away from acknowledging the deep influence religion has played in the human story. Religion, he says, belongs with our most archaic and tenacious wishes. No society on Earth has lacked beliefs about where it has come from, or about its place in the natural or supernatural scheme of things. No society has doubted that there exists between us and eternal reality.”
MacGregor brings a depth of knowledge but also an inquisitive and probing mind to his subjects and it is for these reasons that he was chosen to receive the 2018 Sandford St Martin Trustees’ Award.
Two extracts from his speech, discussing the making and thinking behind “Living with the Gods” are below:
Sandford St Martin Special 40th Anniversary Award: Blue Peter
Since its early days Blue Peter has been introducing young audiences to the wide world and fostered a sense of belonging and responsibility for its future. Through this sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes challenging but always original and entertaining programme, generations of children have had the opportunity to explore who they are and who they want to be. Its subjects have included pop culture, the natural world, history and science while also engaging with bigger questions about immigration, the environment, how things work and what makes a community. This is a vital service. It’s in recognition of Blue Peter’s 60 years of providing it and the huge contribution it has made to furthering our understanding of belief, moral and ethical issues that the Sandford St Martin Trust chose to mark their joint anniversary – 60 years for Blue Peter and 40 years for the Trust – with this special award.
2017 Trustees’ Award: The Moral Maze
Provocative and engaging, The Moral Maze has been examining the ethical issues behind the week’s news stories since 1990. Presented by respected journalist and broadcaster Michael Buerk since its inception, this BBC Radio 4 series calls upon an eclectic panel of regular contributors drawn from the worlds of religion, politics and journalism including Claire Fox, Giles Fraser, Anne McElvoy, Michael Portillo, Melanie Phillips and Matthew Taylor. Previous panelists include Rabbi Hugo Gryn, Geoffrey Robertson, Michael Gove and David Starkey. Announcing the recipient of the Trustees’ Award, the Rt Rev Nick Baines, Lord Bishop of Leeds and the Trust’s Chair said: “We live in a complex world, and this programme takes these complexities seriously. It also refuses to collude with the notion that all arguments must be reduced to the simplistic or the slogan. Sometimes annoying, usually riveting, always worth the listen.”
2016 Trustees’ Award: Joan Bakewell
Joan Bakewell is a true icon of British broadcasting. When she made her television debut in the 1960s, she became the only female presenter of the BBC2 programme Late Night Line-Up. From 1988 to 2000, she presented Heart of the Matter, on BBC1, a programme in which she explored belief and ethics. Since then she has gone on to present the Radio 3 series Belief, and Radio 4’s Inside the Ethics Committee.
Sandford St Martin Trustee, Roger Bolton was her editor on Heart of the Matter for three yeas and said that she conducted her interviews with “cool precision, intelligent understanding and great sympathy for those caught up in difficult dilemmas”. Regarding her role as a Labour peer since 2011, he said she has “used her position in the House of Lords to ensure that its debates about ethics cut to the heart of the matter.”
Lady Bakewell said: ” I am enormously pleased to be given this award, which has a tremendous reputation. I think it matters all the more in today’s climate, because we need space where serious ideas can be reflected and discussed.”
In recognition of her outstanding commitment to religious and ethical broadcasting over six decades, the Sandford St Martin Trustees unnimously agreed that the 2016 Trustees’ Award should go to her.
Find out more about why Joan Bakewell thinks religious broadcasting matters here.
2015 Trustees’ Award: Lyse Doucet
Through her role as chief international correspondent for the BBC, Lyse Doucet has always exemplified journalistic integrity but it’s in recognition of her particular skill at drawing connections between the personal, the political and the role religion has played in some of the biggest news stories of our time that she was chosen to receive the 2015 Sandford St Martin Trustees’ Award. Presenting her with her prize, the BBC director of news and current affairs, James Harding, said: “This award recognises the profound influence of religion on the world we live in and Lyse has fearlessly brought us greater understanding of religion from some of the most perilous places on the planet.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: “The 2015 awards winners not only show the extraordinary range of religious and ethical programming on television and radio, but also puts paid to the idea that the spiritual dimension to life can be locked away behind a door marked ‘private’.”
To hear Lyse’s inspirational acceptance speech, click here.
2014 Sandford St Martin Personal Award: Melvyn Bragg
The broadcaster Melvyn Bragg received a Personal Award in 2013. Presenting the award, Roger Bolton, fellow broadcaster said was being recognised for “putting religion at the heart of human experience and exploring it in such a way that it has enriched the public discourse for decades.”
Bragg is one of the UK’s most respected broadcasters as well as being a top selling author and a Parliamentarian. He is probably best known as the presenter of The South Bank Show and Radio 4’s flagship morning discussion programme In Our Time. He also worked at ITV where he was an editor.
2014 Sandford St Martin Trustees’ Award: Sir John Tavener
The English composer Sir John Tavener is widely regarded as one of Britain’s greatest modern composers. He achieved popularity that is rare in the classical world with choral works marked out by their pared-down beauty and intense spirituality. He claimed that much of his creativity sprang from his religious faith but he was never shy of exploring other religious traditions. His use of instruments such as the ram’s horns, nay flute and kaval saw him pushing the boundaries of his vision ever closer to the east and to eastern religions.
2013 Trustees’ Special Award: Danny Boyle and Frank Cottrell Boyce for the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony
An estimated 900 million people around the world were mesmerised by the 2012 Summer Olympic Games’ opening ceremony. Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Frank Cottrell Boyce the artistic showcase which utilised The Clash, Mary Poppins and a special appearance by the Queen to depict Britain’s “isles of wonder” was a hit with audiences. And religion, said Frank Cottrell Boyce, played a central role: “People would not have believed the day before that we would include three traditional Christian hymns” he said. “But Danny and I were both brought up in Catholic families and the Church was part of our childhood”.
2013 Sandford St Martin Personal Award: Jonathan Lord Sacks
The 2013 Sandford St Martin Personal Award went to the retiring Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks for his advocacy not only of the Jewish faith but of the significance of religion, since delivering the Reith Lectures for the BBC in 1990.